Henry David Thoreau

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.

To inherit property is not to be born – it is to be still-born, rather.

The generative energy, which, when we are loose, dissipates and makes us unclean, when we are continent invigorates and inspires us. Chastity is the flowering of man; and what are called Genius, Heroism, Holiness, and the like, are but various fruits which succeed it.

If I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior.

Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate.

I only desire sincere relations with the worthiest of my acquaintance, that they may give me an opportunity once in a year to speak the truth.

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed.

The easy confidence with which I know another man’s religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also.

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap, than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor.

I never thought much of the courage of a lion tamer. Inside the cage he is at least safe from people.

Women are like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until they are in hot water.

One cause, which is not always observed, of the insufficiency of riches, is that they very seldom make their owner rich.

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.

The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.

I have not become the Kings First Minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire.

We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love’s light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.

There is nothing that will kill a man so soon as having nobody to find fault with but himself.

Broken, like a mosaic, I am pieced together. I am still a piece of art, though I may not be fully appreciated by all, the ones that see the beauty, are the ones who have the understanding; gained through experience, that to break, doesn’t mean to give up.